Alyssa Edwards is the latest stalwart for the Yorkville girls cross country program.

A Toledo recruit, Edwards shattered the course record by 40 seconds in leading the Foxes to a dominant 26-73 victory over Minooka at Saturday's Class 3A Granite City Sectional. Edwards finished first in a career-best 16 minutes, 52 seconds.

"I really wasn't expecting it," Edwards said.

Yorkville will look to continue a remarkable streak at the state meet Saturday at Peoria's Detweiller Park.

Yorkville has finished no worse than runner-up the past eight years, including seven in Class 2A and last year in 3A.

"At certain points I run out of words to describe (Yorkville)," Benet coach Scott Brooks said. "I'm not sure if 'amazing' does them justice."

Yorkville captured a record-tying five straight state titles from 2011-15 in Class 2A. Winnebago also had a five-year championship run from 2005-09 in Class A and 1A.

Naperville North, which won the 2016 Class 3A championship, again is on a collision course with Yorkville.

"It's a coin toss," Brooks said.

"I definitely think we are going to give them a run for their money," Edwards said. "We are very similar. They have two really good girls (Sarah Schmitt and Alex Morris) at the top."

Eberhart missed the previous two state meets because of injury. The junior will be critical to the Foxes' fortunes in Peoria.

"You can't take for granted the ability to run," Eberhart said. "Watching the team (last year) was hard, but it was also helpful. I am really excited to have the opportunity to compete this year and see how our team can do. If we have the right attitude, anything can happen."

Naperville North had 27 points in its one-sided sectional win.

Intangibles figure to play a prominent role when the powers come face to face for the third time this season.

Naperville North defeated Yorkville in Minneapolis as well as at its Twilight Invitational.